Chapter 10: Realisations

Michelle blinked her eyes open as the sound of glass clinking drew her out of the restless sleep she'd fallen into. She rolled onto her back, slowly adjusting to her surroundings. She was still wearing yesterday's clothes, a thin blanket thrown carefully over her body.

She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her hands. Her eyes fell upon Tyler, placing an empty wine glass into the sink before turning around, a small smile pulling at his lips as he spotted her.

"Sorry, I didn't want to wake you…" He whispered.

"How long have I been asleep?" She yawned; her brow furrowed in confusion.

"You were out of it before eleven. You looked exhausted, I didn't want to wake you up, so I just grabbed that and…" He trailed off, gesturing to the soft, grey blanket she was clinging to for warmth. "It's, erm, just gone eight. I've been called in for the brunch shift, but I don't have to if you-"

"She hasn't come home?" Michelle's stomach sank, forming her judgement from the nervous way Tyler was choosing his words. He shook his head, lips closed tightly. "And Kate hasn't seen her?" She added, the memory of him sending her a message suddenly sparking in her mind.

"There could be so many other explanations…" He tried to assure her as her eyes snapped shut, an exhale falling through her lips as she brought a hand up to her mouth.

"Yeah, like she's out there somewhere, hurt or… Or worse." Her voice cracked as she finally voiced what had been troubling her for the past ten or so hours.

"Mum's tough. She can handle herself." Tyler said firmly, refusing to let himself be fazed by her suggestions, despite the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Look, I can call work and let them know I'm not coming if you need someone here…"

"No, I'll be fine, honestly. I'll just call around, see if I can find anyone that's heard from her…"

Tyler let out a sigh, approaching her and carefully wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

"I'll let you know if I hear anything." He told her, gently, before letting her go and scooping up his bag, heading out for work.

Michelle pulled herself up from the cushions, carefully folding the blanket and resting it over the arm of the couch. She wandered towards the bedroom, taking in the sight of the untouched bedsheets and puffed-up pillows. The curtains were still wide open, the sky dark on the other side. The clouds were heavy, as though snow would begin to fall from them at any second.

She knew it would be freezing outside. If Vicky was out there, she could have hypothermia. The thought raced through her mind before she could stop it, her stomach seizing in fear. She had to do something. Heading back into the kitchen, she picked up her phone, the battery symbol in the top corner glowing red. Without hesitation, she dialled three numbers.


"Sh, Sonny it's okay, it's okay!" Michelle assured the screaming child as she held him in her arms. She'd finally calmed him down when the buzzer had sounded, sending him into another fit of sobs. Now she waited in the hallway, bouncing him on her hip, tears streaming down her own cheeks as she struggled to cope with the dozens of thought racing through her mind. "Please, take him!" She held the screaming boy out as soon as the door had opened.

Carla obeyed immediately, pulling the child close to her, a muddle of confusion and concern etched across her face.

"I can't cope, Carla." Michelle sobbed, bringing a hand up to her mouth as she tried to calm herself down. She felt herself being ushered back into the living room; a glass of water eventually being thrust into her hands. The sounds of Sonny's cries quietened as Carla carried him into his bedroom. By the time she emerged a few minutes later, they'd ceased entirely.

"I've left him watching Peppa Pig in his room." Carla said, sitting down beside Michelle and carefully prising the glass out of her hands, offering her a tissue instead. She dabbed at her eyes before scrunching the soft paper in her fist. "I think he was just feeding off all the stress…" Michelle nodded in agreement, her eyes still watery and lips set in a thin line.

"I can't do this, Carla." She exhaled, meeting her friend's troubled eyes.

"What did the police say?" Carla asked her gently, her palm rubbing comforting circles on Michelle's back.

"They said they can't do anything. Not until she's been missing for at least twenty-four hours." She replied, bitterly. "They told me to sit and wait in case she comes home. It's driving me mad."

"And you've tried ringing her?" She knew it was a stupid question as soon as it had rolled off her tongue. Michelle took in a sharp breath.

"Over and over. It doesn't even ring anymore, just goes straight to voicemail."

"The battery has probably died, love, or-"

"Or someone's cut it off." Michelle whispered, her eyes filling with tears once more. She felt Carla's arms wrap firmly around her and let her head rest against her shoulder as she let out a pained sob. "There's something wrong, Carla, I just know it."

"It's okay, babe. We'll find her, I promise you. Peter, Steve and Tim are keeping an eye out on their shifts. Your post on Friend Connect has been shared loads already. She'll turn up safe, I'm sure of it. She's a tough cookie that one-"

Carla flinched back as Michelle stood up abruptly, clutching her head in her hands.

"Will everyone please just stop saying that to me! Yeah, she's tough and she's strong but what does that matter? I was tough and Will still locked me in the boot of my car. You were tough and Frank still…" She trailed off; her eyes drifting closed as further tears rolled down from beneath her lashes. "Sorry." She said quietly. "I'm just so scared."

Carla stood up, pulling Michelle into her and holding her close as she cried; heavy sobs wracking her body.

"Have you eaten, babe?" She asked, carefully, as Michelle began to calm down. She shook her head in response.

"I can't stomach breakfast… I just need to know where she is. When was the last time you saw her?" Michelle was desperately clutching at straws. Anything she could get out of anyone could help.

"Oh, erm… Well, to speak to would have been when I popped round on boxing day…" Carla thought hard, trying to place her memories in order. "No wait, I think I saw her heading into the flat yesterday when I was sweeping up some broken glass outside the Rovers…"

"What time?" Michelle asked frantically.

"Around midday, I think. She was on the phone to someone. God, I heard her say a name…" Carla brought her hands up to cover her eyes as though it would help bring the memory to the forefront of her mind.

"She would have just left me in the office. She was going-"

"Gary!" Carla declared as the name flew into her head. Michelle's eyes widened.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, pretty sure."

"How did she sound? Was she scared, or angry or-"

"I don't know, Chelle, that's all I heard."

"Why would she have been phoning Gary?" Michelle tried to make sense of it, her heartrate increasing.

"I have no idea, babe… What are you doing?" Carla watched as Michelle swept her keys from the counter, heading briskly towards the door. "Chelle, where are you going?"

"I'm going to speak to Gary. He must know something." She answered, firmly.

"Not on your own, you're not."

"Well, you need to stay here and look after Sonny." Michelle pointed out, clearly frustrated at being held back when she was in such a rush. "I'm not having you questioning Gary. I need to do it myself."

"No, I'm not suggesting that. Look, why don't we take Sonny over to Jenny and she can keep hold of him for a couple of hours. I'm sure she'll understand. If you want to speak to Gary, you have to let me come with you. But please, put a coat on first."

Michelle let out a breath, taking a moment to consider her options. It didn't seem as though she had much choice. As she waited for Carla to gather up Sonny and his travel bag, she pulled on her coat, before they headed out of the door.


"Gary!" Michelle shrieked, her fists pounding on the metal barrier pulled across the entrance to the antiques shop.

"Babe, I don't think he's here…" Carla sighed, rubbing her forehead to try and placate the ache that was forming behind her eyes. Michelle huffed, giving the metal a kick for good measure.

"Why would he not be here? He's always here!" Michelle cried, exasperated. He'd spent countless hours in this room beneath the viaduct. She always saw him in there. She'd often thought how unhealthy it seemed for him to be spending so much time at work.

"Chelle, it's bank holiday Monday. Maybe even Gary fancied a lie in. I can't imagine there are many folk queueing up to buy antiques immediately after Christmas…"

"What the hell is going on?" His voice called out down the street, causing Michelle to spin around. It wasn't until she had seen the mobile phone clutched horizontally in his hand that she had noticed the security camera above her head. It looked like a high-tech system; one that would link directly back to his phone and alert him at any sign of an intruder.

"Where's Vicky?" She demanded, rounding on him. He looked taken aback, brow knotting in confusion.

"What?" He released, exasperated.

"I'm serious, Gary. Where is she?"

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about…" Gary had raised an eyebrow, looking down his nose at her as though she was crazy. She figured she would be if she didn't get to the bottom of this soon. She let out a breath, allowing her eyes to close as she composed herself.

"I know she was on the phone to you yesterday. Which, incidentally, was the last time anyone saw her. Quite suspicious that, isn't it?" Michelle spat, her eyes raking him up and down. When he failed to respond, she pushed further. "What were you talking about, Gary?"

"I can't remember." He shot confidently, folding his arms. "It was probably nothing."

Carla narrowed her eyes. She could sense that he was lying.

"It didn't sound like nothing…" She pointed out.

"Look, I don't know what this is about, or why you've come round here shouting the odds, but-"

"Listen here, mate." Michelle interjected, holding up a warning hand. "You either tell me where Vicky is, or I'm letting the police know that you had something to do with her going missing-"

"Vicky's missing?" He interrupted, a look of genuine surprise stretched across his face.

"I know what you're like, Gary…" Michelle snarled, taking a step closer to him. "I've heard what people say about you. So, you better tell me whatever it is you and Vicky were talking about yesterday-"

"Look, I have no idea where Vicky is," Gary sighed, bringing a hand up to rub his forehead, "but I'm pretty sure slimy Ray has something to do with it."

Michelle felt her stomach drop. She swallowed back the bile that was threatening to rise in her throat, turning to Carla with wide eyes.

"Ray?" She practically whispered.

"I'm sorry, but that's all I know. You'll have to collar him about it."

Before she could form a response, he'd stalked off in the direction of Victoria Court. Carla stepped forwards, gently rubbing Michelle's arm in an attempt to comfort her. She could feel the other woman shivering beneath her touch; whether because of the winter air or her fear, she couldn't be sure.

Michelle took a moment to gather her thoughts. The realisation that Ray could be behind this didn't shock her, but it certainly didn't make her feel any better about it. Ray was a dangerous man; she knew that all too well. She dreaded to think how far he would go.

"I need to see him…" She mumbled, stepping past Carla in the direction of the Bistro; already lit up with the breakfast service in full swing.

"Hang on, babe…" Carla caught her wrist. "Are you sure that's a good idea?"

Michelle swallowed, nodding her head as she shook off Carla's grip. Hesitantly, she stopped outside the Bistro door.

"Can you, um… Can you head back to the flat? Just in case she comes home... I don't know if she'll have a key, so…" She trailed off; her mouth dry. As much as every part of her was screaming in protest, she couldn't let herself give up hope. "Just ring me if she turns up..."

"I'd rather come with you. I don't want-"

"Please Carla." Michelle's voice was small; desperate. Carla gave a reluctant nod, rubbing her arm once more in a final gesture of comfort.

"Okay. But please, don't put yourself in any danger…"